Carrier-pigeon signal.



R. H. HOLDEFER.

CARRIER PIGEON SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1914.

1 1 1 8,283. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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ROBERT HENRY I-IOLDEFER,

6F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

GARRIER-PIGEQN SIGNAL.

S eeification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application filed May 25, 1814. Serial No. 845,919.

To all wizomit may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT H. HoLDErER, acitizen ofthe United States, residing at Baltimore, in the county ofBaltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Carrier-Pigeon Signals; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in signaling devices, andparticularly to devices for signaling the arrival of a carrier pigeon atone end of its flight.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device whichincludes a signal the sounding of which is controlled by the entrance ofa pigeon into the cote, the signal automatically continuing its soundinguntil the circuit is broken by the attendant.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the signalingsystem. Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged front elevation of the entrance tothe cote. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line 33 of Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the relay andreleasing means therefor.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents aportion of a pigeon cote which has the entrance opening 11, and theusual ledge or shelf 12 disposed outwardly of the cote and below theopen- 111".

Mounted above the opening are the insulated brackets 13 in which issupported a shaft 14. On this shaft are mounted a plurality of metalliccollars 15 provided with the depending metallic bars 16 disposed behindthe opening 11 and in position to be pushed in by the entering pigeon.Above the brackets is a metal bar 17 carrying a number of curved springmetal fingers 18 equal to the number of depending bars 16, the lowerfree end of each of the fingers being disposed close to one of thedepending bars but out of contact therewith. On one end of the shaft 14is mounted a metal collar 19 carrying a binding screw 20 to which isconnected an electric conductor 21. To a binding screw carried connectedanother electric conductor 23.

The above mechanism is located in the cote while the mechanism now to bede scribed is located in the house.

Mounted at a suitable point in the house is an electric bell 24 which isprovided with the binding terminals 25 and 26. At a-suit able pointadjacent the bell is a relay 27' provided with the three binding posts28, 29 and 30 respectively, these binding posts being wired up to thecoils 31 and vibrator 32 in the usual manner. The armature 33 has apointed and hooked end 34 which is adapted to pass through an opening inthe vibrator 32. Covering the coils and vibrator is a removable housing35 through one end of which is slidably disposed a plunger 36, the innerend of which is disposed adjacent the vibrator 32 and the outer endprovided with a button 37. Between the button and the end wall of thehousing is a coil spring 38 which normally draws the plunger out ofengagement with the vibrator, a stop lug 39 carried by the plungerengaging the housing and limiting the outward movement of the plunger. Asuitable source of electric current such as the battery 40 is provided.

The bell and relay are mounted on a suitable base (not shown). Extendingfrom one side of the battery is a conductor 44 which connects with aconductor 45 leading to the terminal 26 of the bell. A conductor 46connects the terminal 25 with the terminal 28. Connecting the other sideof the battery with the terminal 29 is a conductor 47. Connecting thecollar or ring 19 with the terminal 30 is the conductor 31 while theconductor 23 is connected to the conductor 44 above described. It willof course be understood that the conductors 21 and 23 extend from thecote to the house.

Vhen a pigeon enters the cote, it pushes the depending bars 16 forwardlycausing them to engage with the spring fingers 18 thus closing thecircuit through the bars and fingers. Normally the hooked end of thearmature is engaged in the opening of the vibrator and holds the same invertical position, but when the circuit is closed by the contacting ofthe bars 15 with the fingers 18 the coil will be energized and draw thearmature down thus releasing the vibrator and permitting the same toclose the circuit through the bell in the usual manner and by the bar1'? is cause the ringing thereof. The bell will continue to ring untilthe plunger 36 is pushed in against the vibrator and forces the vibratorinto position to be engaged and held by the hooked end of the armature.

From the foregoing it will be seen that-I have provided a simple andefficient device whereby the arrival of a carrier or homing pigeon willbe immediately signaled to the house, so that the time of arrival can beobtained Without leaving the house.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for signaling the arrival of carrier pigeons comprising asource of electrical energy, an audible signal, a relay for holding thecircuit When closed, and a circuit closer mounted in a dove cote foractuation by the entering carrier.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 2. A device for signaling the arrival of carrierpigeons comprising a source of elec trical energy, an audible signal,and a relay connected to the source of energy, a plurality of dependingmetallic bars disposed in the entranee opening of a clove cote, and aplurality of curved resilient metal fingers disposed adjacent the barsand in position to be engaged thereby when the bars are moved by anentering pigeon, said bars and fingers being connected in the electricalcircuit.

In testimony whereof, l affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.-

R'OBERT HEN HOLDEFER.

Witnesses:

5110. E. PoPP, Gino. P. BEnTsnL.

of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

